Important Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
161. The Meaning of “ The Only Ones Excluded Are Those Who Commit the Five Gravest Offenses or Slander the Right Dharma” (continued 4/5)
Sinful Beings Are the True Target
We feel that these words of exclusion carry deep meaning. They serve as a mirror to help us see our true nature: we are sinful, deluded beings caught in samsara; overwhelmed by greed and anger, and burdened by heavy karmic hindrances. We have insufficient conditions for liberation, not the pure karma that leads to escape from Samsara.
From Amitabha’s compassionate perspective, all of us are sinners who have, throughout many lives, committed serious wrongs. There is no one who is excluded from Amitabha’s salvation. Therefore, the exclusion clause in the
Eighteenth Vow actually highlights the fact that the Vow was made specifically for even the most burdened and evil beings.
Amitabha Buddha has even greater compassion for evil people than for good ones, and greater compassion for those who oppose him than for those who accept. As The Bodhisattva Stages Sutra says: “Bodhisattvas have deeper compassion for evil people than for good.”
If the object of salvation were only the virtuous and wise, then the exclusion clause would become meaningless—for truly good people would never commit the five offenses or slander the Dharma. The beings that the Eighteenth Vow aims to save are people like us, who may indeed commit such grave offenses. The Buddha foresaw this and added the clause for the purpose of warning—but not to declare permanent abandonment after sin is committed.
As Master Shandao said:
“By the power of the Buddha’s Vow, even those who commit the five offenses and ten evils, have their sins extinguished, and they attain birth.
Those who slander the Dharma or are icchantikas—if they repent, will all attain birth.” (Praise of Dharma Practices)
“ If those who slander the Dharma, are Icchantikas, or commit the ten evils, turn their minds and recite Amitabha Buddha’s Name, all of their sins are extinguished.” (Praise of the Pratyutpanna Samādhi Sutra)
“The sharp sword is the Name of Amitabha; With one recitation, all sins are extinguished.” (Praise of the Pratyutpanna Samadhi Sutra)
(to be continued tomorrow)
161 「唯除逆謗」之義 (續4/5)
罪人正機
我們感到此抑止八字含有特別之深意，這八字也像一面法鏡，讓我們看 清自己真正的面貌，其實自身就是罪惡生死凡夫，貪瞋強盛，業障深重，無有 出離之緣，只有造罪惡的黑業，不可能造清淨、脫出輪迴的白業。而以佛的眼 光來看我們，沒有不是逆謗的罪惡凡夫，沒有不是彌陀主要救度的對象，所以第十八願的抑止之義，更可顯明「佛愍惡機」，是以「罪苦之人為對象」所誓 的本願。
阿彌陀佛憐愍惡人更甚於善人，憐愍逆己者更甚於順己者。《菩薩地持經》說：「菩薩於惡人所起慈悲心，深於善人。」如果以善人賢者為救度對象， 則此八字也變成無作用了。因為真正的善人賢者，不會造五逆及誹謗正法。 第十八願所要救的眾生，就是可能會造下五逆謗法的我們，佛事先料想到此 點，故特別添加了抑止八字，但不代表造惡後就不攝取。
如善導大師說：
以佛願力：五逆十惡，罪滅得生；謗法闡提，迴心皆往。（《法事讚》）
謗法闡提行十惡，迴心念佛罪皆除。（《般舟讚》）
利劍即是彌陀號，一聲稱念罪皆除。（《般舟讚》）
Namo Amituofo!
